Hokage: I Confronted the Five Kage Before the System Arrived

Chapter 164: Unlearnable

"Did the daimyo of the Land of Waves die?"

In the Hokage office of Konoha, Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage, had just received news of the daimyo's death and expressed her surprise, though she didn't give it much thought.

The daimyo and the ninja world are like two separate entities. Even if there were condolences to be made, that would be the responsibility of the Land of Fire, not the ninja villages.

"He died from drinking too much? How pathetic."

Growing up surrounded by alcohol, Tsunade had no respect for someone who died from overindulgence in it.

"If you're weak, don't try to keep up."

After making her comment, Tsunade was ready to move on.

Shizune, her assistant, reminded her, "Lady Tsunade, there's more. The Land of Fire hopes Konoha will send a team of ninjas to protect the delegation going to the Land of Waves for the funeral. The mission payment has already been delivered to the village."

"I see."

Since it was an official matter, Tsunade pulled out a thick ninja registry, intending to select some available and suitable ninjas.

Just then, she paused and said, "Come to think of it, didn't Kakashi's team go to the Land of Waves over two years ago? They made quite a name for themselves there. I've heard about that Naruto Bridge numerous times."

"So, should we send Kakashi's team to the Land of Waves again?" Shizune quickly caught on to Tsunade's intention. However, after thinking for a moment, she shook her head and said, "Ever since Kakashi's team returned from Lockfront Village, Naruto has been rigorously training with the help of Yamato, and your disciple Sakura is doing the same. This may not be the best time to disturb them."

"Training, huh?"

Tsunade recalled how Naruto and Sakura looked disheartened yet determined upon their return from Lockfront Village. And she remembered the one who caused it all, Sasuke Uchiha.

"He's so much like Orochimaru back then."

Both were exceptionally talented, both pursued power, and both ended up defecting from the village. And behind them, there was always someone foolishly chasing after them, hoping to bring them back.

Back then, that fool was Jiraiya.

Now, it was Naruto and Sakura.

Tsunade's feelings towards Orochimaru were complicated, unlike the unwavering determination of Naruto and Sakura, but she understood their sentiments.

"In that case, let's send Asuma's team." Tsunade changed her mind.

As a former member of the Twelve Guardian Shinobi, Asuma had dealt with many officials from the Land of Fire and was the right choice for the mission.

Shizune immediately went to notify Asuma.

Before she left, Tsunade asked, "How is Kakashi doing?"

Kakashi didn't go to Lockfront Village because he was assigned an important mission to locate the missing Seven-Tails Jinchuriki, Fu.

Recently, Konoha and Sunagakure held another joint Chunin Exam, similar to the one from years ago. Not only did genin from various villages participate, but Fu, the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki from Takigakure, also joined.

However, after the Chunin Exams, Fu and the two Takigakure jonin accompanying her vanished without a trace. Takigakure immediately sent out search parties and requested assistance from Konoha and Sunagakure.

Jinchuriki are of great importance.

Konoha didn't refuse and assigned Kakashi to lead Team 8, which specializes in tracking, to investigate Fu's disappearance.

It's been about half a month since then.

Shizune was about to shake her head, indicating she hadn't received any news yet.

At that moment, a ninja from the Intelligence Division hurried in, handing over Kakashi's latest mission report.

"They've found the last known location of the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki, Fu. There are signs of battle at the scene, and it's believed Fu's side was defeated..."

Tsunade quickly scanned the scroll, her brow furrowing.

Fu was defeated?

And at the end...

"... According to investigations, individuals in black cloaks with red clouds were seen near the area where Fu disappeared."

Black cloaks with red clouds...

"The Akatsuki?"

Tsunade's brow furrowed even deeper.

Over the past year or two, the Akatsuki had been relatively quiet.

She had hoped they would remain so, but now they were showing their hand again.

It's likely that the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki has already fallen into their hands.

Thinking further about the entire village of Lockfront Village being evacuated, the Hagoromo clan behind it, the remnants of the Uchiha, and Hagoromo Gengetsu...

Tsunade looked out the window.

The blue sky, white clouds, and bright sunshine made it seem like a good day.

But in the distant horizon, there was lightning and thunder, and dark clouds were gathering, signaling the approaching storm.

"It's time to contact Jiraiya." Tsunade quickly decided.

Additionally, she glanced toward the training ground.

"Naruto, grow up quickly."

Tsunade didn't share with anyone else.

From Naruto, she not only saw glimpses of Dan and Nawaki but also sensed traits similar to her grandfather.

She had unwavering faith in Naruto's future achievements.

Her only concern was whether there would be enough time.

"Hey!!!!"

At the training ground, hundreds of Naruto's shadow clones cheered themselves on, each holding a leaf, practicing wind chakra nature transformation with a serious expression.

"Sharp! Thin! Cut!"

Thinking about the characteristics of wind, recalling the powerful destructive force of Hagoromo Gengetsu's "Wind Style: Rasenshuriken" when he was an Reanimation, Naruto, with a clear goal, trained rapidly with the help of the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.

"Although I've seen it many times, it's still so shocking every time."

Nearby, Yamato watched everything and sighed.

He had witnessed Naruto's rapid progress in wind chakra nature transformation and even knew the method, but he couldn't replicate it.

Not only him, but no one in the ninja world could do it.

Creating hundreds of shadow clones for training, and when they disperse, the memories and fatigue of hundreds of clones flood into the original body—anyone else would have collapsed, dying from the exhaustion.

Even Hagoromo Gengetsu, honestly, couldn't do this repeatedly without showing any fatigue.

During his own training and research, he rarely used shadow clones.

Although it temporarily boosted efficiency, it also brought multiplied fatigue and rest time afterward.

All things considered, the overall efficiency wasn't much better than training alone.

No one in the ninja world who knew the Shadow Clone Technique had ever used it to accelerate their training like Naruto.

Naruto was unique.

"So impressive! Is this the power of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki?"

Yamato could only think so.

He didn't know that Naruto's ability to train so intensely without worry was not just due to the Nine-Tails, but also his Uzumaki lineage and, most importantly, being the reincarnation of Asura.

The Sage's Body was just that overpowered.

"Sasuke!!!"

Amidst the internal shouts, Naruto, now carrying the hopes of many, tirelessly trained day after day, filled with fervor and determination as he continued his intense practice.

Dark clouds and sunshine were moving forward together from this moment on.

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